Ten-Year Outcome of Recanalization or Medical Therapy for Concomitant Chronic Total Occlusion After Myocardial Infarction.

BACKGROUND: The EXPLORE (Evaluating Xience and Left Ventricular Function in PCI on Occlusions After STEMI) trial was the first and only randomized trial investigating chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) early after primary PCI for ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction, compared with medical therapy for the CTO. We performed a 10-year follow-up of EXPLORE to investigate long-term safety and clinical impact of CTO PCI after ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction, compared with no-CTO PCI. METHODS AND RESULTS: In EXPLORE, 302 patients post-ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction with concurrent CTO were randomized to CTO PCI within ≈1 week or no-CTO PCI. We performed an extended clinical follow-up for the primary end point of major adverse cardiac events, consisting of cardiovascular death, coronary artery bypass grafting, or myocardial infarction. Secondary end points included all-cause death, angina, and dyspnea. Median follow-up was 10 years (interquartile range, 8-11 years). The primary end point occurred in 25% of patients with CTO PCI and in 24% of patients with no-CTO PCI (hazard ratio [HR], 1.11 [95% CI, 0.70-1.76]). Cardiovascular mortality was higher in the CTO PCI group (HR, 2.09 [95% CI, 1.10-2.50]), but all-cause death was similar (HR, 1.53 [95% CI, 0.93-2.50]). Dyspnea relief was more frequent after CTO PCI (83% versus 65%, P=0.005), with no significant difference in angina. CONCLUSIONS: This 10-year follow-up of patients post-ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction randomized to CTO PCI or no-CTO PCI demonstrated no clinical benefit of CTO PCI in major adverse cardiac events or overall mortality. However, CTO PCI was associated with a higher cardiovascular mortality compared with no-CTO PCI. Our long-term data support a careful weighing of effective symptom relief against an elevated cardiovascular mortality risk in CTO PCI decisions. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.trialregister.nl; Unique identifier: NTR1108.

Impact of a Chronic Total Coronary Occlusion on the Incidence of Appropriate Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Shocks and Mortality: A Substudy of the Dutch Outcome in ICD Therapy (DO-IT)) Registry.

BACKGROUND: Chronic total coronary occlusions (CTO) substantially increase the risk for sudden cardiac death. Among patients with chronic ischemic heart disease at risk for sudden cardiac death, an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is the favored therapy for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death. This study sought to investigate the impact of CTOs on the risk for appropriate ICD shocks and mortality within a nationwide prospective cohort. METHODS AND RESULTS: This is a subanalysis of the nationwide Dutch-Outcome in ICD Therapy (DO-IT) registry of primary prevention ICD recipients in The Netherlands between September 2014 and June 2016 (n=1442). We identified patients with chronic ischemic heart disease (n=663) and assessed available coronary angiograms for CTO presence (n=415). Patients with revascularized CTOs were excluded (n=79). The primary end point was the composite of all-cause mortality and appropriate ICD shocks. Clinical follow-up was conducted for at least 2 years. A total of 336 patients were included, with an average age of 67±9 years, and 20.5% was female (n=69). An unrevascularized CTO was identified in 110 patients (32.7%). During a median follow-up period of 27 months (interquartile range, 24-32), the primary end point occurred in 21.1% of patients with CTO (n=23) compared with 11.9% in patients without CTO (n=27; P=0.034). Corrected for baseline characteristics including left ventricular ejection fraction, and the presence of a CTO was an independent predictor for the primary end point (hazard ratio, 1.82 [95% CI, 1.03-3.22]; P=0.038). CONCLUSIONS: Within this nationwide prospective registry of primary prevention ICD recipients, the presence of an unrevascularized CTO was an independent predictor for the composite outcome of all-cause mortality and appropriate ICD shocks.

Correction: van Veelen et al. First-in-Human Drug-Eluting Balloon Treatment of Vulnerable Lipid-Rich Plaques: Rationale and Design of the DEBuT-LRP Study. J. Clin. Med. 2023, 12, 5807.

In the original publication [...].

Native coronary artery or bypass graft percutaneous coronary intervention in patients after previous coronary artery bypass surgery: A large nationwide analysis from the Netherlands Heart Registration.

BACKGROUND: Patients with previous coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) who require repeat revascularization frequently undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We sought to identify factors associated with the decision to intervene on the native vessel versus a bypass graft and investigate their outcomes in a large nationwide prospective registry. METHODS: We identified patients who underwent PCI with a history of prior CABG from the Netherlands Heart Registration between 2017 and 2021 and stratified them by isolated native vessel PCI versus PCI including at least one venous- or arterial graft. The primary endpoint of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) was a composite of all-cause death and target vessel revascularization (TVR) at one-year post PCI. The key secondary endpoint was a composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction (MI), and TVR at 30 days. RESULTS: Out of 154,146 patients who underwent PCI, 12,822 (8.3%) had a prior CABG. Isolated native vessel PCI was most frequently performed (75.2%), while an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) presentation was most strongly associated with graft interventions. The primary outcome of MACE at one-year post PCI occurred more frequently in interventions including grafts compared with native vessels alone (19.7% vs. 14.3%; adjOR 1.267; 95% CI 1.101-1.457); p < 0.001) driven by TVR. There was however no difference in mortality or the key secondary endpoint between the two groups. CONCLUSION: In this nationwide prospective registry, ACS presentation was strongly associated with bypass graft PCI. At one year after PCI, interventions including bypass grafts had a higher composite of MACE compared with isolated native vessel interventions.

First-in-Human Drug-Eluting Balloon Treatment of Vulnerable Lipid-Rich Plaques: Rationale and Design of the DEBuT-LRP Study.

Patients with non-obstructive lipid-rich plaques (LRPs) on combined intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) are at high risk for future events. Local pre-emptive percutaneous treatment of LRPs with a paclitaxel-eluting drug-coated balloon (PE-DCB) may be a novel therapeutic strategy to prevent future adverse coronary events without leaving behind permanent coronary implants. In this pilot study, we aim to investigate the safety and feasibility of pre-emptive treatment with a PE-DCB of non-culprit non-obstructive LRPs by evaluating the change in maximum lipid core burden in a 4 mm segment (maxLCBImm4) after 9 months of follow up. Therefore, patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome underwent 3-vessel IVUS-NIRS after treatment of the culprit lesion to identify additional non-obstructive non-culprit LRPs, which were subsequently treated with PE-DCB sized 1:1 to the lumen. We enrolled 45 patients of whom 20 patients (44%) with a non-culprit LRP were treated with PE-DCB. After 9 months, repeat coronary angiography with IVUS-NIRS will be performed. The primary endpoint at 9 months is the change in maxLCBImm4 in PE-DCB-treated LRPs. Secondary endpoints include clinical adverse events and IVUS-derived parameters such as plaque burden and luminal area. Clinical follow-up will continue until 1 year after enrollment. In conclusion, this first-in-human study will investigate the safety and feasibility of targeted pre-emptive PE-DCB treatment of LRPs to promote stabilization of vulnerable coronary plaque at risk for developing future adverse events.

One-year follow-up of patients treated with single antiplatelet therapy directly after percutaneous coronary intervention for non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome.

Graphical AbstractClinical outcomes and treatment adherence during 12 months follow-up. *Second bleeding event in same patient. PCI, percutaneous coronary intervention; TVR, target vessel revascularization.

Less bleeding by omitting aspirin in non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome patients: Rationale and design of the LEGACY study.

BACKGROUND: Early aspirin withdrawal, also known as P2Y12-inhibitor monotherapy, following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) can reduce bleeding without a trade-off in efficacy. Still the average daily bleeding risk is highest during the first months and it remains unclear if aspirin can be omitted immediately following PCI. METHODS: The LEGACY study is an open-label, multicenter randomized controlled trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of immediate P2Y12-inhibitor monotherapy versus dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) for 12 months in 3,090 patients. Patients are randomized immediately following successful PCI for NSTE-ACS to 75-100 mg aspirin once daily versus no aspirin. The primary hypothesis is that immediately omitting aspirin is superior to DAPT with respect to major or minor bleeding defined as Bleeding Academic Research Consortium type 2, 3, or 5 bleeding, while maintaining noninferiority for the composite of all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction and stroke compared to DAPT. CONCLUSIONS: The LEGACY study is the first randomized study that is specifically designed to evaluate the impact of immediately omitting aspirin, and thus treating patients with P2Y12-inhibitor monotherapy, as compared to DAPT for 12 months on bleeding and ischemic events within 12 months following PCI for NSTE-ACS.

Impact of the COVID-19 Outbreak on the Treatment of Myocardial Infarction Patients.

Purpose of review: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an overburdened healthcare system. While an increased rate of ACS is expected due to the pro-thrombotic state of COVID patients, observed ACS incidence and admission rates were paradoxically decreased during the (first wave of the) pandemic. In this narrative review, we will discuss potential reasons for this decrease in ACS incidence. Furthermore, we will discuss ACS management during the COVID-19 pandemic, and we will discuss outcomes in ACS. Recent findings: A reluctance to seek medical contact (in order not to further overburden the health system or due to fear of being infected with COVID-19 while in hospital) and unavailability of medical services seem to be important factors. This may have led to an increased symptom onset to first medical contact time and an increased rate of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests. A trend towards less invasive management was observed (less invasive coronary angiography in NSTEMI patients and more "fibrinolysis-first" in STEMI patients), although a large variation was observed with some centers having a relative increase in early invasive management. Patients with ACS and concomitant COVID-19 infection have worse outcomes compared to ACS patients without COVID-19 infection. All of the above led to worse clinical outcomes in patients presenting with ACS during the COVID-19 pandemic. Interestingly, staffing and hospital bed shortages led to experimentation with very early discharge (24 h after primary PCI) in low-risk STEMI patients which had a very good prognosis and resulted in significant shorter hospital duration. Summary: During the COVID-19 pandemic, ACS incidence and admission rates were decreased, symptom onset to first medical contact time prolonged, and out-of-hospital rates increased. A trend towards less invasive management was observed. Patients presenting with ACS during the COVID-19 pandemic had a worse outcome. On the other hand, experimental very early discharge in low-risk patients may relieve the healthcare system. Such initiatives, and strategies to lower the reluctance of patients with ACS symptoms to seek medical help, are vital to improve prognosis in ACS patients in future pandemics.

Single antiplatelet therapy directly after percutaneous coronary intervention in non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome patients: the OPTICA study.

BACKGROUND: Early P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy has emerged as a promising alternative to 12 months of dual antiplatelet therapy following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). AIMS: In this single-arm pilot study, we evaluated the feasibility and safety of ticagrelor or prasugrel monotherapy directly following PCI in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS). METHODS: Patients received a loading dose of ticagrelor or prasugrel before undergoing platelet function testing and subsequent PCI using new-generation drug-eluting stents. The stent result was adjudicated with optical coherence tomography in the first 35 patients. Ticagrelor or prasugrel monotherapy was continued for 12 months. The primary ischaemic endpoint was the composite of all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, definite or probable stent thrombosis or stroke within 6 months. The primary bleeding endpoint was Bleeding Academic Research Consortium type 2, 3 or 5 bleeding within 6 months. RESULTS: From March 2021 to March 2022, 125 patients were enrolled, of whom 75 ultimately met all in- and exclusion criteria (mean age 64.5 years, 29.3% women). Overall, 70 out of 75 (93.3%) patients were treated with ticagrelor or prasugrel monotherapy directly following PCI. The primary ischaemic endpoint occurred in 3 (4.0%) patients within 6 months. No cases of stent thrombosis or spontaneous myocardial infarction occurred. The primary bleeding endpoint occurred in 7 (9.3%) patients within 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides first-in-human evidence that P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy directly following PCI for NSTE-ACS is feasible, without any overt safety concerns, and highlights the need for randomised controlled trials comparing direct P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy with the current standard of care.

Detection of Vulnerable Coronary Plaques Using Invasive and Non-Invasive Imaging Modalities.

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) mostly arises from so-called vulnerable coronary plaques, particularly prone for rupture. Vulnerable plaques comprise a specific type of plaque, called the thin-cap fibroatheroma (TFCA). A TCFA is characterized by a large lipid-rich necrotic core, a thin fibrous cap, inflammation, neovascularization, intraplaque hemorrhage, microcalcifications or spotty calcifications, and positive remodeling. Vulnerable plaques are often not visible during coronary angiography. However, different plaque features can be visualized with the use of intracoronary imaging techniques, such as intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), potentially with the addition of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), or optical coherence tomography (OCT). Non-invasive imaging techniques, such as computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA), cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging, and nuclear imaging, can be used as an alternative for these invasive imaging techniques. These invasive and non-invasive imaging modalities can be implemented for screening to guide primary or secondary prevention therapies, leading to a more patient-tailored diagnostic and treatment strategy. Systemic pharmaceutical treatment with lipid-lowering or anti-inflammatory medication leads to plaque stabilization and reduction of cardiovascular events. Additionally, ongoing studies are investigating whether modification of vulnerable plaque features with local invasive treatment options leads to plaque stabilization and subsequent cardiovascular risk reduction.

Identification and treatment of the vulnerable coronary plaque.

Acute coronary syndrome mostly arises from rupture or erosion of a vulnerable plaque. Vulnerable plaques typically appear as lipid-rich plaques with a thin cap, called thin-cap fibroatheromas. Various intracoronary imaging techniques can be used to detect vulnerable plaques, such as intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), optical coherence tomography (OCT) and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), each visualizing different high-risk plaque characteristics. IVUS and its post-processing techniques, such as virtual histology IVUS, can primarily be used to identify calcified and soft plaques, while OCT is also able to quantitatively measure the cap thickness. The addition of NIRS allows the exact measurement of lipid content in the plaque. Non-invasive imaging techniques to identify vulnerable plaques, such as computed tomography, are less often used but are evolving and may be of additional diagnostic use, especially when prophylactic treatments for vulnerable plaques are further established. Pharmacological treatment with lipid-lowering or anti-inflammatory medication leads to plaque stabilization and reduction of cardiovascular events. Moreover, the implantation of a stent or scaffold for the local treatment of vulnerable plaques has been found to be safe and to stabilize high-risk plaque features. The use of drug-coated balloons to treat vulnerable plaques is the subject of ongoing research. Future studies should focus on non-invasive imaging techniques to adequately identify vulnerable plaques and further randomized clinical studies are necessary to find the most appropriate treatment strategy for vulnerable plaques.

Recovery of right ventricular function and strain in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and concurrent chronic total occlusion.

The right ventricle (RV) is frequently involved in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) when the culprit or concurrent chronic total occlusion (CTO) is located in the right coronary artery (RCA). We investigated RV function recovery in STEMI-patients with concurrent CTO. In EXPLORE, STEMI-patients with concurrent CTO were randomized to CTO percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or no CTO-PCI. We analyzed 174 EXPLORE patients with serial cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging RV data (baseline and 4-month follow-up), divided into three groups: CTO-RCA (CTO in RCA, culprit in non-RCA; n = 89), IRA-RCA (infarct related artery [IRA] in RCA, CTO in non-RCA; n = 56), and no-RCA (culprit and CTO not in RCA; n = 29). Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), RV ejection fraction (RVEF), RV global longitudinal strain (GLS) and free wall longitudinal strain (FWLS) were measured. We found that RV strain and TAPSE improved in IRA-RCA and CTO-RCA (irrespective of CTO-PCI) at follow-up, but not in no-RCA. Only RV FWLS was different among groups at baseline, which was lower in IRA-RCA than no-RCA (- 26.0 ± 8.3% versus - 31.0 ± 6.4%, p = 0.006). Baseline RVEF, RV end-diastolic volume and TAPSE were associated with RVEF at 4 months. RV function parameters were not predictive of 4 year mortality, although RV GLS showed additional predictive value for New York Heart Association Classification > 1 at 4 months. In conclusion, RV parameters significantly improved in patients with acute or chronic RCA occlusion, but not in no-RCA patients. RV FWLS was the only RV parameter able to discriminate between acute ischemic and non-ischemic myocardium. Moreover, RV GLS was independently predictive for functional status.

DEtection of ProxImal Coronary stenosis in the work-up for Transcatheter aortic valve implantation using CTA (from the DEPICT CTA collaboration).

OBJECTIVES: Computed tomography angiography (CTA) is performed routinely in the work-up for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), and could potentially replace invasive coronary angiography (ICA) to rule out left main (LM) and proximal coronary stenosis. The objectives were to assess the diagnostic yield and accuracy of pre-TAVI CTA to detect LM and proximal coronary stenosis of ≥ 50% and ≥ 70% diameter stenosis (DS). METHODS: The DEPICT CTA database consists of individual patient data from four studies with a retrospective design that analyzed the diagnostic accuracy of pre-TAVI CTA to detect coronary stenosis, as compared with ICA. Pooled data were used to assess diagnostic accuracy to detect coronary stenosis in the left main and the three proximal coronary segments on a per-patient and a per-segment level. We included 1060 patients (mean age: 81.5 years, 42.7% male). RESULTS: On ICA, the prevalence of proximal stenosis was 29.0% (≥ 50% DS) and 15.7% (≥ 70% DS). Pre-TAVI CTA ruled out ≥ 50% DS in 51.6% of patients with a sensitivity of 96.4%, specificity of 71.2%, PPV of 57.7%, and NPV of 98.0%. For ≥ 70% DS, pre-TAVI CTA ruled out stenosis in 70.0% of patients with a sensitivity of 96.7%, specificity of 87.5%, PPV of 66.9%, and NPV of 99.0%. CONCLUSION: CTA provides high diagnostic accuracy to rule out LM and proximal coronary stenosis in patients undergoing work-up for TAVI. Clinical application of CTA as a gatekeeper for ICA would reduce the need for ICA in 52% or 70% of patients, using a threshold of ≥ 50% or ≥ 70% DS, respectively. KEY POINTS: • Clinical application of CTA as a gatekeeper for ICA would reduce the need for ICA in 52% or 70% of TAVI patients, using a threshold of ≥ 50% or ≥ 70% diameter stenosis. • The diagnostic accuracy of CTA to exclude proximal coronary stenosis in these patients is high, with a sensitivity of 96.4% and NPV of 98.0% for a threshold of ≥ 50%, and a sensitivity of 96.7% and NPV of 99.0% for a threshold of ≥ 70% diameter stenosis. • Atrial fibrillation and heart rate did not significantly affect sensitivity and NPV. However, a heart rate of < 70 b/min during CTA was associated with a significantly improved specificity and PPV.

The Impact of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention on Mortality in Patients With Coronary Lesions Who Underwent Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the effect of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) before transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) on all-cause and cardiovascular mortality after TAVR, differentiating between significant proximal lesions and the non-proximal (residual) lesions. METHODS: An institutional TAVR database was complemented with data on the extent of coronary artery disease (CAD), lesion location, lesion severity, and the location of PCI. Survival analysis was performed to investigate the impact on 6-month and 3-year mortality after TAVR in all patients and in subgroups of patients with significant proximal lesions (>70% diameter stenosis [DS], >50% DS in left main), the non-proximal residual lesions, and in a propensity score matched cohort. RESULTS: Among the 577 included patients, mean age was 83 years, 50% were female, and 31% had diabetes mellitus. Preprocedural PCI of unselected lesions was independently associated with increased 6-month mortality (hazard ratio, 2.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.0-4.6; P=.04), but selective PCI of significant proximal lesions did not have an association with higher mortality, nor did we find a significant effect of PCI on mortality in the propensity-matched cohort. CONCLUSION: Routine pre-TAVR PCI is not associated with mortality reduction in TAVR patients with coronary lesions in any segment or in patients with proximal coronary lesions. Despite the lack of a beneficial effect of routine pre-TAVR PCI, we cannot exclude a beneficial effect in a selection of patients with proximal lesions. Therefore, we strongly support the current clinical guidelines to only consider pre-TAVR PCI in proximal coronary lesions, while advocating a restrictive pre-TAVR PCI strategy.

Cangrelor Use in Routine Practice: A Two-Center Experience.

Cangrelor is the first and only intravenous P2Y12-inhibitor and is indicated when (timely) administration of an oral P2Y12 inhibitor is not feasible in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Our study evaluated the first years of cangrelor use in two Dutch tertiary care centers. Cangrelor-treated patients were identified using a data-mining algorithm. The cumulative incidences of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, definite stent thrombosis and major bleeding at 48 h and 30 days were assessed using Kaplan-Meier estimates. Predictors of 30-day mortality were identified using uni- and multivariable Cox regression models. Between March 2015 and April 2021, 146 patients (median age 63.7 years, 75.3% men) were treated with cangrelor. Cangrelor was primarily used in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients (84.2%). Approximately half required cardiopulmonary resuscitation (54.8%) or mechanical ventilation (48.6%). The cumulative incidence of all-cause death was 11.0% and 25.3% at 48 h and 30 days, respectively. Two cases (1.7%) of definite stent thrombosis, both resulting in myocardial infarction, occurred within 30 days, but after 48 h. No other cases of recurrent myocardial infarction transpired within 30 days. Major bleeding occurred in 5.6% and 12.5% of patients within 48 h and 30 days, respectively. Cardiac arrest at presentation was an independent predictor of 30-day mortality (adjusted hazard ratio 5.20, 95%-CI: 2.10-12.9, p < 0.01). Conclusively, cangrelor was used almost exclusively in STEMI patients undergoing PCI. Even though cangrelor was used in high-risk patients, its use was associated with a low rate of stent thrombosis.

Implementation of CT Coronary Angiography as an Alternative to Invasive Coronary Angiography in the Diagnostic Work-Up of Non-Coronary Cardiac Surgery, Cardiomyopathy, Heart Failure and Ventricular Arrhythmias.

To assess the need for additional invasive coronary angiography (CAG) after initial computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) in patients awaiting non-coronary cardiac surgery and in patients with cardiomyopathy, heart failure or ventricular arrhythmias, and to determine differences between patients that were referred to initial CTCA or direct CAG, consecutive patients were included between August 2017 and January 2020 and categorized as those referred to initial CTCA (conform protocol), and to direct CAG (non-conform protocol). Out of a total of 415 patients, 78.8% (327 patients, mean age: 57.9 years, 67.3% male) were referred to initial CTCA, of whom 260 patients (79.5%) had no obstructive lesions (<50% DS). A total of 55 patients (16.8%) underwent additional CAG after initial CTCA, which showed coronary lesions of >50% DS in 21 patients (6.3% of 327). Eighty-eight patients (mean age: 66.0 years, 59.1% male) were directly referred to CAG (non-conform protocol). These patients were older and had more cardiovascular risk factors compared to patients that underwent initial CTCA (conform protocol), and coronary lesions of >50% DS were detected in 16 patients (17.2%). Revascularization procedures were infrequently performed in both groups: initial CTCA (3.0%), direct CAG (3.4%). The use of CTCA as a gatekeeper CAG in the diagnostic work-up of non-coronary cardiac surgery, cardiomyopathy, heart failure and ventricular arrhythmias is feasible, and only 17% of these patients required additional CAG after initial CTCA. Therefore, CTCA should be considered as the initial imaging modality to rule out CAD in these patients.

Predictors and outcomes of procedural failure of percutaneous coronary intervention of a chronic total occlusion-A subanalysis of the EXPLORE trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate predictors of procedural success of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of chronic total coronary occlusions (CTOs) in a non-infarct-related artery following ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), and demonstrate the effect on left ventricular functionality (LVF), infarct size (IS), and pro-arrhythmic electrocardiogram (ECG) parameters. BACKGROUND: Predictors of unsuccessful revascularization of a CTO are numerous, although following STEMI, these are lacking. Besides, effects of failed CTO PCI (FPCI) on the myocardium are unknown. METHODS: This is a subanalysis of the EXPLORE trial, in which 302 STEMI patients with a concurrent CTO were randomized to CTO PCI (n = 147) or no-CTO PCI (NPCI, n = 154). For the purpose of this subanalysis, we divided patients into successful CTO PCI (SPCI, n = 106), FPCI (n = 41), and NPCI (n = 154) groups. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and angiographic data were derived from the EXPLORE database, combined with ECG parameters. To gain more insight, all outcomes were compared with patients that did not undergo CTO PCI. RESULTS: In multivariate regression, only CTO lesion length >20 mm was an independent predictor of procedural failure (OR 3.31 [1.49-7.39]). No significant differences in median left ventricular ejection fraction, left ventricular end-diastolic volume, IS, and the pro-arrhythmic ECG parameters such as QT-dispersion, QTc-time, and TpTe-intervals were seen between the SPCI and FPCI groups at 4 months follow-up. CONCLUSION: This subanalysis of the EXPLORE trial has demonstrated that a CTO lesion length >20 mm is an independent predictor of CTO PCI failure, whereas procedural failure did not lead to any adverse effects on LVF nor pro-arrhythmic ECG parameters.